3.1 Different Electoral Systems

Question 1

What does plurality mean?

Answer 1

The winner of an election does not always have a majority. More of an inclusive system where parties can represent their followers

Question 2

What is an absolute majority?

Answer 2

Where the winner receives more than 50% of the popular vote

Question 3

How does FPTP work?

Answer 3

• each constituency has an MP that is running
• voters vote for their preferred candidate
• winner gets the seat

Question 4

What type of support does FPTP need in order for candidates to be successful?

Answer 4

Concentrated support

Question 5

What is a majority government?

Answer 5

Where the winning party has a majority in its Parliament

Question 6

What is a safe seat?

Answer 6

A constituency where it is highly unlikely that the seat will change hands

Question 7

Give 3 arguments for the use of FPTP

Answer 7

• strong and decisive government
• simple
• creates a close bond between MP and constituency

Question 8

Give 3 arguments against the use of FPTP

Answer 8

• not proportionally fair
• wasted votes
• poor representation in legislature

Question 9

What is a proportional system?

Answer 9

A system whereby the seats awarded is broadly similar to that of the votes they received

Question 10

What is a majoritarian system?

Answer 10

Used to elect a single candidate

Question 11

What is the Additional Member System (AMS)?

Answer 11

AMS is a hybrid system which combined FPTP with a proportional representation system

Question 12

How does AMS work?

Answer 12

• voters get two choices
• they vote for an MSP to represent their constituency
• they then vote for a party to represent their ideological interests on a regional scale
• the regional list vote becomes manipulated using the D’Hondt formula

Question 13

Give 3 advantages to AMS

Answer 13

• produces a proportional outcome
• more choice
• helps smaller parties

Question 14

Give 2 disadvantages to AMS

Answer 14

• more complex

- can result in the election of extremist candidates

Question 15

Where is STV used?

Answer 15

Northern Ireland

Question 16

How does STV work?

Answer 16

Voters list their voter choice from 1 to 6, then the candidate with the highest vote share wins

Question 17

Give 3 advantages of STV?

Answer 17

• produced proportional outcome
• gives voters choice
• helps small parties

Question 18

Give 3 disadvantages of STV?

Answer 18

• complex system
• helps extremist candidates get elected
• lines of accountability are not clear

Question 19

Where is SV used?

Answer 19

For London Mayor Elections

Question 20

How does SV work?

Answer 20

Voters have two choices. If the candidate receives less than 50% of the vote, it goes to round 2 where there is only the the top two candidates available. This means that the winning candidate has more than 50% of the vote

Question 21

Give 2 advantages of SV?

Answer 21

• the winning candidate can claim to have the majority of the votes
• simple to understand

Question 22

Give 1 disadvantages to SV?

Answer 22

-winning candidate may not achieve a winning majority from the first vote

Question 23

What is the effect of a proportional system on the party system?

Answer 23

Elections would produce a multi party system. Consequently, a more represented legislature would be created

Question 24

What is the effect of a proportional system on the government?

Answer 24

Would prevent the government becoming excessively powerful. Would have to seek a minority or coalition government.

Question 25

What is the effect of a proportional system on voters?

Answer 25

Every vote would count and therefore increase participation.
No longer the need to vote tactically.
Voting system may be too complicated to understand.